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“It’s me, Austri. Madi’s here, too. Open up.”

Mom and I released the breaths we’d been holding, but Revel wasn’t totally convinced. He peered out the window. His broad shoulders relaxed. “Idiot, knocking like he’s a castle guard or something,” Revel muttered as he opened the door. “Do ya think your knock was frantic enough?”

“Well, ya know I wouldn’t knock like that unless things were frantic.” Austri looked him up and down. “Guess you survived. Thought you were a goner for sure.” He plowed into the room and nodded politely at my mom. Madigan came in behind him, gripping her bow and arrow tightly. She glanced back toward the dark yard before shutting the door and locking it.

The tension in the room thickened quickly. It was obvious this was not a social visit.

“They’re coming for Sassa,” Austri said. “I’m here to take her away so pack a few things.”

It was happening again. I was going to lose her. I tightened my arms around her. She hugged me tightly back.

“Prince Granier has an official decree from the sorcerers. You will marry Prince Granier,” Madigan said. “And then there’s the dragon problem⁠—”

“What about them? Have they been attacked?” I asked urgently.

“Now that they’ve gotten their strength back, they’re moving to higher ground in the Avion Mountains,” Madigan explained. “But the villagers—everyone is being vigilant to watch over their lion’s bane crops, but they’re scared.”

“Make sure the warriors are walking the streets and keeping watch,” Revel said. “I’m not going back.”

All faces turned his direction.

“That’s right, and I’m taking Raphael with me. She doesn’t belong to Granier. Austri, can you get us a boat? We’ll take Sassa with us across the Blackforge Sea. It’s safer now. It’s a risk we can take.”

Austri looked at Madigan, and a grin broke out on his face. He chuckled. “I was hopin’ you’d ask that. It just so happens, I’ve got a boat down at the shore. There is still one Valian secret that is solid and true. The Krakatow are gone, and the sea is free of those menacing fish. No one else knows that. I’m not saying it will be easy, and you must leave now, under the cloak of night.” He patted his pocket. “I’ve written down directions to my cousin’s farm in Lowengate. He’ll be glad to let you stay until you figure out where to go.”

Revel gave Austri a hearty clap on the back. “I knew you wouldn’t fail me. But Austri, Madi, you must get word to me right away if there’s trouble. The Solamites will not take this without a fight, and who knows what the Regnas are planning. I’ll make sure Sassa and Raphael are safe and then return if⁠—”

Madigan smacked Austri’s shoulder. “The conceited warrior doesn’t think we can win without him.”

Austri raised a thick brow at her.

“Yep, you’re right. We’re fucked without him. But there’ll be time. I’m sure both regions are still reeling from everything that’s happened in the past two days. Get Sassa and Raphael safely across to Lowengate.”

I hugged Madigan goodbye and even forced a hug on Austri.

“Madi, please tell Lyric I’ll be thinking about her,” I said.

“I will. Go on now. I’ll head back to Norvale, and Austri can take you down to the boat.” Even though she was only one step above Austri on the huggable scale, I hugged her again.

Austri clapped his big hands together once. “Get your things. We need to be off.”

I’d arrived by dragon and with only the clothes I’d worn to the fight, but Mom had given me some more practical clothes, breeches and a warm shirt and cloak. Unfortunately, Revel had arrived with only a layer of blood on his back. Mom had washed his breeches so Austri lent him his top cloak. It was short and small, but it would be enough to keep him warm during the ocean crossing.

Mom packed up some of the fry bread and berries in her larder. We all climbed into Austri’s wagon. Mom sat up front with Austri, and I happily sat with Revel in the back. His arm went around me, and I snuggled as close to his warmth as possible. It felt like a nice intimate moment, but I sensed a great deal of worry rolling off my Valian warrior.

“Do you think there will be a war?” I asked. I knew so little of things like wars and battles, but considering the number of scars Revel had, I knew they were dangerous and brutal, I supposed like most wars.

“I think it’s likely. I’ll make sure you and Sassa are safe, then I’ll return to Norvale.”

I moved closer to him as if sitting closer would help me hang on to him. “We’ll make sure Mom is safe, then I’ll return with you.”

“Out of the question, Raphael. Fenrick and Granier will both want you dead. It will be the only way they can keep their titles. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’ve heard that phrase many times, and yet, I think I’ve faired pretty well through all those dangerous situations. If there is trouble, you’ll need my pretty little mind.” I smiled up at him. He leaned down and kissed me lightly.

“I don’t just need your mind,” he said flirtatiously.

I elbowed him. “May I remind you my mom is literally five feet away.”